Preventing Suicide In Local Communities

The Andrews Labor Government is set to roll out stage two of its Suicide Prevention Framework to support local communities to reduce the stigma by giving Victorians and their families the support they need.

Stage one of the program are well underway with the Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement (HOPE) programs in place at Alfred Health and St Vincent’s Hospital and rolled out across four other regional locations.

The Alfred and St Vincent’s Hospital have supported over 30 people since April to ensure they get the support they need following attendance at the Emergency Department.

The Labor Government has provided $27 million in funding over four years for the placed-based and HOPE trials, as part of its Suicide Prevention Framework.

Stage two of the Framework is focused on community based solutions using lived experiences to help Victorian communities develop local strategies to combat suicide.

The Lived Experience Project, being delivered by the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, will help reduce stigma and promote help-seeking in the Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and Dandenong regions.

Roses in the Ocean, an organisation directly supporting those with lived experiences of suicide, has been engaged in the project and will provide training and mentoring to help people talk about suicide in their local communities.

The project is part of the 12 placed-based suicide prevention initiatives announced by the Labor Government and being delivered in partnership with the Primary Health Networks.

They aim to harness local skills, expertise and resources to implement tailored, evidence-based interventions in local communities.

Projects that reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviour are being developed across the 12 locations to be announced in the coming weeks. Other programs include training for general practitioners to recognise and help people at risk of suicide.

If you need help call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 for 24/7 crisis support and counselling.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley

“We’re seeing more Victorians supported when attending our hospitals seeking help – the next step is to start a conversation about how as a community we can save more lives.”

“We know that every suicide has a devastating impact on our community – this is something we are working quickly to change.”

“We will learn from the 12 local communities we are supporting to make sure we have the best support in place to save lives.”